mynameismoe's Tealogmynameismoe's tealog on Steepsterhttp://steepster.com/
Vanilla Orchid from DAVIDsTEAFirst reaction to the dry leaf is a delicious vanilla-y sweetness. I can smell the butter creaminess. It's such a pleasant scent.
I'm new to the world of re-steeping, but am going to give it a go with this. I don't have a variable temp kettle (Yet! Getting one tonight!) so I have no idea how hot the water was. I let it boil & unplug, put some peanuts out for the birds, dished out my tea, then poured the water. I put a bit extra tea in and let it steep for 1 minute the first go 'round.
First sip is quite vanilla-y with a hint of that delicious butter creaminess. Fairly light flavour, which I expected for a first steep. In terms of vanilla, people were accurate to mention to think vanilla bean ice cream or yogurt, NOT extract! Oh gosh this is just so delicious. Every few minutes my rating slider creeps up a bit. I'm trying not to gobble this up, but I'm so impatient for a second steep! The after taste is pleasant and mild.
Second steep. I totally forgot to time it. 2 minutes? Maybe 3+? Dang.
Anyway. A definite change in taste. Still getting the vanilla, but it's taken a backseat and now the oolong is coming through. Fascinating! After taste is now more tea-like. (Astringent? I'm not sure on the word I'm looking for, still new to this!)
I feel like a third steep might be too thin. Next time I'll pay more attention to my second steep time. (plus I'm getting a bit full of liquid and don't want the leaves to sit out)
Definitely picking up a bigger bag of this.Sun, 18 Nov 2012 13:33:06 -0500/teas/Vanilla%20Orchid/31565-vanilla-orchid?note=140059
Dragonwell from DAVIDsTEASteeped this up at work, so I didn't have much of a chance to sit and really get a thorough tasting. I also forgot it was steeping, but thankfully a co-worker was a bit more on the ball and reminded me.
I really liked this one. Vegetal with just enough seaweed taste to "be there", but not give the "THIS TASTES LIKE SEAWEED" reaction. Kinda made me crave sushi. Next time I go for veggie sushi I'm grabbing a cup of this.Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:03:29 -0500/teas/Dragonwell/20296-dragonwell?note=140281
Cream of Earl Grey (organic) from DAVIDsTEACurled up under the blankets with a cup of this before I have to brave the cold to get ready for work.
In typical moe fashion, I let this steep a little bit too long. Kind of strong & I feel it lost it's creaminess. Needs a splash of milk, but that requires leaving the safe haven of my pile of blankets.
...so...cold...Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:31:50 -0500/teas/Cream%20of%20Earl%20Grey%20(organic)/16479-cream-of-earl-grey-organic?note=140633
Vanilla Oolong from DAVIDsTEAkeeping with the reoccurring theme of long steeps, i made this one up while putting on supper. it smells SO YUMMY but found the taste to be lacking. vanilla orchid oolong definitely picks up what this one forgot.
but it's in my tea drawer, so i shall drink it. which is ok, i don't 'not' like it, just probably won't restock, is all. well, as long as vanilla orchid is in stores!Fri, 23 Nov 2012 18:19:02 -0500/teas/Vanilla%20Oolong/1238-vanilla-oolong?note=140764
Jessie's Tea from DAVIDsTEAWasn't sure what to expect, since I'm not familiar with actually drinking lavender. This is quite interesting! I've gotten a bit tired with my usual evening teas and this is a nice change. I don't mind the coconut as much as I thought, and that other taste is presumably the lavender. It's almost slightly peppery, which I usually get with the lavender scented dish soap I use.
I'll probably keep a bit of this in my stash for when mint choc rooibos/spearmint/sweet dreams gets tiresome.Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:55:15 -0500/teas/Jessie's%20Tea/14975-jessies-tea?note=140788
Green Seduction (organic) from DAVIDsTEAThis was my first memorable cup of DavidsTea. It was the absolute most best cup of tea I had ever had (at that point)! DavidsTea is new to my city, so I've been on a tasting spree and haven't gone back to revisit this one for awhile. I bought a tin of this last weekend, so decided I'd brew up a cup at home.
I did brew 2 cups at work recently and they were duds. Not sure if there's something wrong with the lot or I screwed something up, but I actually paid attention to steep times, even let my second cup brew a bit longer.
This cup at home was pretty decent. My first two sips were kind of weak, so I tossed the steeper in a bit longer. Ended up forgetting about it so it may have steeped for 8-ish minutes all total. The bitterness was my fault, so I'm not holding it against this tea. The sweetness from the pomegranate was there, which is what I like most about this. Sometimes I want a slightly sweeter, not so vegetal green tea, and this hits the spot! People seem weirded out by the black & rooibos. I can tell there's a bit of black tea in there, but had no idea there was rooibos in it until I read the ingredients. I think the black just gives it a bit more solid base. Or something.
Not the most forgiving green tea, I find. I can't seem to replicate that first amazing cup. Well, I have about 94 grams left to get it right.. (I still love it, though!)Sat, 24 Nov 2012 13:58:55 -0500/teas/Green%20Seduction%20(organic)/2045-green-seduction-organic?note=140865
Lemon Myrtle (organic) from DAVIDsTEAIt was a sort of rough day. Tossed and turned all night because of nasty leg pains, woke up with a headache, clocked into work half an hour earlier than I should have, headache turned into a migraine. It wasn't the kind of migraine that makes me lose vision (thankfully), but I could smell every.single.person I walked by. The guy with a cigar a block away might as well have been blowing smoke in my face. Lunch wasn't a possibility. What was usually a palatable sandwich was suddenly an assault to my senses.
Migraine is now gone, but I still feel out of sorts. Like a puzzle not quite put together right. I never like this feeling (who would?) but all it will take is a good cup of tea and a sleep with some kitty cuddles.
I feel like this lemon myrtle will set me on the path to being fixed. Yes, this will do just right. The smell alone is doing wonders. Finally, a pleasant scent! I should put a dab of honey in it, not because it needs it, but because lemon and honey are perfect for each other.
I didn't pay attention to how long I steeped this for. Does it matter? Just get in my mouth already!
(Sorry for any spelling mistakes, my brain is still in that aftermath fuzz mode. let me know and I'll fix it.)Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:44:41 -0500/teas/Lemon%20Myrtle%20(organic)/23615-lemon-myrtle-organic?note=141041
Genmaicha from DAVIDsTEADrank this over the weekend while notes were down. I think this is my favourite green tea so far. The popped rice is a lot of fun, and it has a bit of a toasty welcoming smell.
Pouring water over it REALLY brings out the toastiness. It just makes me so happy!
When it comes to steeping, I find this tea a bit more forgiving than other green teas I've tried. The taste is just so comforting and delicious. One of the few teas I drink every last drop of. (If I could lick the inside of my mug, I would!)
This is my go-to tea when nothing seems to be working out. Old reliable. ;)Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:41:30 -0500/teas/Genmaicha/15717-genmaicha?note=141283
Dragonwell from DAVIDsTEASteeped up another mug of this at work while I did some shipping. Dang this is a good tea! Almost as good as Genmaicha. I think I need to raise my rating of this one.Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:49:48 -0500/teas/Dragonwell/20296-dragonwell?note=141285
Merry Cranberry from DAVIDsTEASteeped up a small pot of this at a friend's house the other day. No kettle, so we boiled water on the stove then let it sit for a few minutes. I lost track of steeping time, as she was on the phone and I have nearly zero concept of time if I'm not using a timer. I also think I put too much tea in, all she had was a big spoon. I'm not used to steeping in pots.
Yum! I had this as a sample in-store which was a bit weak and light, but steeped at home made it just like christmas in my mug! I could taste the cinnamon, but it wasn't overwhelming. I could definitely taste the cranberry, but again, it didn't over power the tea. I have a hard time with anything licorice-y, but the anise didn't bother me at all.
I might buy a ~bit more, but this isn't something I'll keep in my permanent collection. It's a nice tea for when company is over on a chilly day. (although I rarely have company...)Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:15:22 -0500/teas/Merry%20Cranberry/31761-merry-cranberry?note=141629
Genmaicha from DAVIDsTEAslurpslurpslurp. If I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one tea with me, it just might be this one!Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:31:36 -0500/teas/Genmaicha/15717-genmaicha?note=141699
Dragonwell from DAVIDsTEASteeped up a cup of this in my timolino shortly before my shift was over. Totally forgot about it until I got home about half an hour later. It was sadly really bitter. :(
Still a delicious tea, though!Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:45:57 -0500/teas/Dragonwell/20296-dragonwell?note=141862
Genmaicha from DAVIDsTEAI had to go for an xray on my knee today. I was expecting a long wait, so steeped some of this in my timolino. It's almost 4 hours later, and it's JUST at the perfect drinking temperature. Dang those timolinos are awesome!
So is this tea. ;)Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:48:44 -0500/teas/Genmaicha/15717-genmaicha?note=141863
Secret Weapon from DAVIDsTEAOh man do I love this tea! I find it needs to steep longer than instructed, but then, I like really strong tea and white's are usually on the thin side..
ALMONDS YAY. oh man. just so good.
(i made this as a latte tonight using skim milk. YUM.)Tue, 04 Dec 2012 23:28:49 -0500/teas/Secret%20Weapon/4966-secret-weapon?note=142739
Silk Dragon Jasmine (organic) from DAVIDsTEAbrewed up a cup of this. i think it might be a touch stale (not davidstea's fault! my bag was left open for an unknown amount of time)
not bad. nice jasmine. i let it steep too long, though, so not rating it yet.Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:52:49 -0500/teas/Silk%20Dragon%20Jasmine%20(organic)/1554-silk-dragon-jasmine-organic?note=142872
Bear Trap from DAVIDsTEAHoly bananas this is DELICIOUS iced. i didn't add any sweetener, but will probably add a dab next time. so many delicious berries!Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:22:46 -0500/teas/Bear%20Trap/10340-bear-trap?note=143511
Jasmine Black Pearls (organic) from DAVIDsTEAIt's one of those days where my head is in a fuzz (too much christmas wine last night, oops!) and I just have NO idea what tea I want. I need to de-clutter my tea drawer, so opted for something I may not restock.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE anything with jasmine, and this tea is delicious! But I find that I'm not drinking as much black tea lately. It's been mostly green & oolong.
I over steeped this. Just as I poured the water, the neighbors happy golden retriever wandered into my backyard, so I had to go out for some snuggles and puppy kisses.
I added some cream and agave to try to off set the bitterness from the over steep. It's a bit better.
Going to refrain from rating. It's bitterness is entirely my fault. I had it once before, and quite enjoyed it.Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:48:29 -0500/teas/Jasmine%20Black%20Pearls%20(organic)/31084-jasmine-black-pearls-organic?note=143516
Genmaicha from DAVIDsTEAI wish the scent of the dry leaf was more toastier. As soon as the water hits, POW, toasty blanket of comfort in my face.
Woke up fuzzy from christmas celebrations the night previous, my much loved morning cuppa coffee went cold, my jasmine black pearls over steeped and were bitter, i burned breakfast.
Time to haul out the big guns. GENMAICHA. This tea has yet to disappoint me.Sun, 09 Dec 2012 14:49:13 -0500/teas/Genmaicha/15717-genmaicha?note=143526
Pumpkin Chai from DAVIDsTEAIt's the first snow day of the season. Schools and govt are closing early. Even the local college! Looking out the window, I wouldn't really call this a storm, though.. (HEY that rarely ever happened when I went to college! I remember trudging through heavy falling snow ON THE STREET because the snowbanks were too high to plow the sidewalk!)
Anyway. It's my normal day off work, so the snow only affects my coffee date with a friend. I'm still in my jammies at 2pm with cats curled up around me, drinking a cup of this while I watch repeats of various Stargate shows.
I like this tea. Really like this tea. I don't L.O.V.E. it like it seems most people do. It smells yummy and tastes yummy. It's comforting and fairly perfect for fall. The pumpkin taste is perfect. The black tea base is great perfect. It does need a really long steep to get a solid flavour. I'm pretty forgetful so even THAT is perfect.
But I want more spice. Add more spice and this would be darn near 100.
Oh hey, a plow just went by! ...maybe I should put on some pants and go make some snow angels..
Nah.Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:04:53 -0500/teas/Pumpkin%20Chai/15698-pumpkin-chai?note=143691
Mamma Mia from DAVIDsTEAGrabbed a cup to go on my way to an awards nominee announcement thing. Hoping to hear my name in that list! This unexpectantly lovely tea is giving me something to do with my hands while I wait with nervous anticipation. Oh goodness, just announce everything please!
Not sure if this is something I'd stock at home, but it's quite lovely while I'm out and about. The cinnamon is there, but doesn't seem like I'm eating a spoonful of it, which can sometimes happen with cinnamony teas. Just enough fruity to balance it all out.Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:21:12 -0500/teas/Mamma%20Mia/19555-mamma-mia?note=144527
No.16 Ceylon from HarrodsHmm.. I can't seem to find this one so I added it. Thanks to *Ellyn* for this one! It's the first one I'm trying out of the package she sent me because it's the one I'm least sure about. Even though I really wanted to try it! I'm open to trying anything as long as it doesn't have marshmallows in it.
I think I steeped it too long. It's a bit bitter. It's an ok tea, but I doubt I would buy it. Pretty glad to have had the chance to taste it, though! I'm going to refrain from rating until I steep up another cup. I'm finding that I need to steep the traditional blacks way less than recommended.
The smell is a bit heavy. The taste is growing on me.Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:02:37 -0500/teas/No.16%20Ceylon/32948-no-dot-16-ceylon?note=144760
Green Seduction (organic) from DAVIDsTEAYUM!
The last few times I've had this, it's been a bust. Either completely flavourless or too strong. This one is pretty darn good! I could have let it steep just a smidge longer maybe..Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:00:51 -0500/teas/Green%20Seduction%20(organic)/2045-green-seduction-organic?note=144796